Mind-body medicine and the Bach remedies å
By Jennifer Barraclough BFRP, New Zealand
Nowadays the remedies are mostly used for treating emotional problems, but Dr Bach’s original writings often refer to physical illness. In the Illustrated Handbook of the Bach Flower Remedies, Philip Chancellor describes the successful treatment of many different medical conditions using case material from the Mount Vernon archives.
No responsible practitioner would claim that the remedies used on their own can replace orthodox medical diagnosis and treatment. However, combined with whatever other interventions that may be needed, they can make a valuable contribution to the care of physically ill patients.
Diagnosis of a major condition such as heart disease, cancer, stroke or serious injury is usually a shock, and often followed by all kinds of distressing feelings for patients and their relatives. If unduly severe or prolonged, such responses not only add greatly to everyone’s suffering, but may also worsen the medical prognosis. The remedies can assist with transforming negative feelings into positive ones, and developing a more constructive attitude, which will, in turn, assist healing on the physical level.
Besides treating emotional responses to physical illness, the remedies can help when physical symptoms are being caused or made worse by emotional imbalance. In the case described (see below) there was a genuine medical reason for the breathlessness, but mental distress was also contributing. In other cases, the physical symptoms are medically unexplained, and may be a manifestation of an underlying emotional problem such as depression, generalised anxiety, or obsessive worries about health. Many chronic conditions – digestive disorders or recurrent headaches for example – have a strong emotional component, though biological factors such as diet are important as well. Unfortunately there is still some stigma attached to this idea of ‘psychosomatic’ illness, because many people fail to appreciate how closely mind and body are linked.
Whatever the medical diagnosis, a ‘golden rule’ is to select remedies for the individual psychology, not for the physical symptoms or disease. For example, after the same type of surgical operation, one patient might be over-eager to get back to normal activity, another terrified to get out of bed, and a third plunged into depression. Each of these three would need different remedies.
An apparent exception to this rule is found with cases of skin disease, for which Crab Apple is often suggested. However, the indications for the Crab Apple still lie at an emotional level. Skin complaints affect the appearance, and sufferers often feel self-conscious about this and are afraid that their appearance is offensive to others. Crab Apple is selected for this emotional reaction rather than for the skin complaint in itself.
Another rule is to treat the emotions that are present NOW, rather than attempting to unravel issues from the past – issues that may or may not have contributed to the illness. Sometimes, through the process of ‘peeling the onion,’ unresolved deep feelings come to the surface during the treatment process.
Except in emergencies, for which Rescue™ Remedy is the first choice and usually brings rapid benefit, it is important to take a long-term view when treating physical disorders. For chronic conditions it is often necessary to persevere with treatment for several months even if there is no immediate improvement. Emotional state is often the first thing to change, and there is then some time lag before the body responds.
The remedies may also have a role in health promotion and disease prevention. According to the Bach philosophy, most physical illness has its roots in psychological and spiritual imbalance. This increases vulnerability to biological disease-causing agents such as mutant genes, infections and toxins. In keeping with this view, modern mind-body research shows that happy, optimistic people tend to enjoy robust health and long lives, and have a good prognosis even if they do become sick. In contrast, negative emotions such as depression and hopelessness are independent risk factors for many different diseases.
The pathways involved in mind-body links – behavioural, physiological, perhaps metaphysical – are complex and not fully understood. But whatever the mechanism, it does seem that in many cases of chronic illness, emotional and physical problems go hand in hand. By promoting positive qualities – such as hope, joy, courage, calm, love of self and others, a sense of purpose in life – the remedies offer a way out of this ‘vicious circle’ and support the body’s own self-healing powers.
Case history:
An elderly lady developed shortness of breath. Her GP diagnosed heart failure, and said she would soon need open heart surgery. She was extremely upset by this news. Two months later – still awaiting an appointment with a cardiologist – she described feeling doomed, fearful, helpless and hopeless, uncontrollably tearful, unable to sleep, and guilty in case she had somehow brought the illness upon herself. We chose the maximum of seven remedies: Star of Bethlehem, Sweet Chestnut, Cherry Plum, Rock Rose, Gorse, Mimulus, and Pine. Next day this lady phoned me to report that she felt ‘a completely different person’ – calm and in control. She had slept better the previous night, and managed to walk to the shops without getting too short of breath. This improvement was maintained several weeks later.
Jennifer is planning a book on this subject and would be delighted to hear from other practitioners who would be interested in contributing case studies, research reports, or accounts of using the remedies in medical settings. You can contact her via her web site www.jenni.co.nz.
Competition: Coping with Stress å
BFRP Tessa Jordan has put together a Coping with Stress kit. It is based around a CD of relaxation sessions that she originally recorded when she was running relaxation classes for hospital patients. As well as the Relaxation CD, the kit contains a bottle of Rescue Spray and a leaflet about managing stress, packaged in recyclable cardboard with green tissue paper inside and green rafia tied in a bow outside.
The kits are available via Tessa’s web site, www.tessajordan.co.uk, for £20 each, which is less than the price of the CD and remedy bought separately.
The kit might make a good Christmas present for stressed-out relatives and friends. With that in mind, we have a kit to give away in our special Christmas competition!
To win a Coping with Stress Kit, send us an account of how you coped with stress in the lead-up to Christmas. We’ll give a kit to the most amusing, original and inspiring tale we receive. Send your entry to COMPETITION, The Bach Foundation, Mount Vernon, Bakers Lane, Sotwell, Oxon OX10 0PZ. Entries must be received by 31st January 2006, and the editor’s decision will be final.
Treating children the natural way å
By Pat Russell BFRP, England
As a Bach Practitioner I have recently been involved with children aged 3 – 4 years in a local nursery school in Northumberland. A very forward-thinking head teacher who opened a ‘healing’ room in her nursery school set up this project. Here children could relax, listen to stories and practise massage with their mums, and it was a place where mothers could join courses on subjects of interest to them, usually to do with health or childcare.
My introduction to the nursery began when I taught a class there based on Louise L. Hay’s ‘Heal Thyself’, looking at emotional issues as a basis for healing physical problems. This philosophy of course reflects that of Dr Edward Bach, so the remedies were very much part of the course. On learning about Bach, one or two parents asked if they could try them to help their children with behavioural problems, shyness and so on. The success of these treatments led the head teacher to give some of her budget to fund a low cost clinic where parents could access treatment and pay a minimal fee if they could afford it. Single-parent families could access the facility free and the cost would be covered out of the funding.
Remarkable changes took place in children with behavioural problems. Teaching staff and parents noticed changes in children with aggression or temper tantrums. It was soon very clear that the remedies were making a tremendous difference. For example, a child with suspected Asperger’s syndrome* was given the confidence to interact with other children. Her various fears included using any toilet other than the one at home, watching certain TV programmes, not being able to sleep on her own and travelling on a train or bus. All her fears were overcome using the remedies. The biggest step, however, was that she was able to start primary school and mix with new children, without this step being the trauma it often is with children suffering this syndrome.
A number of remedies were used at different stages. Those found most helpful were Aspen for irrational fears, Rock Rose for the terror she often showed (such as screaming when taken onto a train or bus), Impatiens because she was always busy and wanted immediate attention, and Vine because she liked things done her way only. Crab Apple was also added at a later stage, as it appeared she showed fastidiousness about using different toilets. Walnut was given before she was due to start her new school. It may be that this child will need to carry on taking the remedies for a while to support her during her journey through school, but the remedies have meant that her school life is normal. She is fitting in and coping with her life.
I have listed a few of the more interesting cases below to show the kind of problems the remedies have helped. All the children’s names have been changed in the following cases for confidentiality purposes.
Jack, aged four years
Jack was one of the greatest successes with this clinic and was the very first child treated. Jack’s behaviour was such that he was placed on the register for children with emotional and behavioural difficulties (known as the EBD register). His behaviour both at home and nursery was disruptive and hyperactive. He would not give in to tiredness, was anxious about any change, and showed anger and impatience with other people, including teachers. The first remedies given were White Chestnut for his active mind, Walnut to help him move forward and accept the new school, Oak for his pushing himself even when exhausted, Vervain because he was over-enthusiastic about everything he did, and Impatiens for his irritation with everyone.
Jack was on the remedies for two months prior to starting at his new school. By this time he had been taken off the EBD register.
Sally, aged three years
Sally refused to interact with other children. She would cover her work with her hands if staff approached her and would not answer teachers if they spoke to her. After some discussion with her mother and the head teacher it became apparent that Sally was manipulating the situation, in that she would respond at home but not in nursery. Her747 mother was becoming upset and worried about her behaviour, saying Sally was very timid and shy. After great thought I decided to put Sally onto Vine. This seemed quite a ‘strong’ remedy for such a little tot, but taking into consideration what the staff said about her and her mother’s concern that she was shy, the combination of Mimulus and Vine was given. This worked almost immediately, to the amazement of the staff. I received a phone call from the school about a week later saying “Sally actually spoke to us today.”
One thing that has become very obvious with new children due to start nursery is a problem with toilet training. They feel unable to empty their bowels, or don’t want to. From discussions with medical staff in a different area, it has become apparent that this is quite a common problem. Children as young as three can end up undergoing medical procedures such as a bowel washes. The following two cases are examples of how the flower remedies helped children with these problems.
Mary, aged three years
Mary would use the toilet to empty her bladder, but insisted on wearing a nappy to empty her bowel. Her mother was concerned, as the child was due to start nursery in the new term. She decided to try the Bach remedies.
As most very young children cannot explain their emotions, I have to listen to what the parents and teachers say and try and work out what is going on in the child’s mind. I decided to try Larch as it seemed this could be a confidence issue, Mimulus for her fear of using the toilet, Chestnut Bud because at one point Mary had an accident with diarrhoea when staying with her Grandmother, and may have been afraid of this happening again. I added Star of Bethlehem as I felt that this or some other incident had left Mary shocked and afraid to try and use the toilet. One week later Mary was using the toilet without a problem.
Jenny, aged three years
Jenny was about to undergo treatment at hospital for a bowel wash, because she would not or could not empty her bowel. She had been prescribed with Lactolose and Senna, but nothing made any difference. The mother decided to try the remedies before the hospital treatment. With little to go on I decided to try the fear remedies and gave Jenny Mimulus and Rock Rose. I also gave her Vine, because she appeared to be a very determined little girl who did things her way. Within a short time Jenny was going to the toilet naturally and did not have to have the bowel wash procedure.
These are only a few of the children who have been helped by the Bach remedies. There have been many more. We tend to forget that young children suffer from upsetting emotions, just the same as we adults, only they handle them in a different way, quite often displaying aggressive behaviour, as in the case of children with a new baby in the family. Walnut for change and Holly for jealousy are quite often all that is needed to help children move on with acceptance of this new situation in their lives.
Some of the parents and professional staff in the area have accessed this low cost clinic with success, and cases have been referred from health professionals connected to the school. Even the Ofsted inspector gave the clinic his approval as he felt this was supporting the emotional health of the children. Although names and schools may not be mentioned, I would like to acknowledge the bravery of a headmistress who had the courage to follow her heart and try a simpler approach to rectify behavioural problems in such young children.
*Asperger’s syndrome (AS) is characterised by major difficulties in social interaction, and restricted and unusual patterns of interest and behaviour. Children with severe AS do not read social cues well and have little empathy. They have little ability to form friendships and suffer from social isolation.
Pat would be interested in hearing from any BFRPs who have experience working with children with Asperger’s syndrome, autism etc. Contact her at Sweet Thyme Therapy Centre, North Shields, telephone 0191 290 300, www.therapynortheast.co.uk.
Re-registration fees å
The re-registration fee pays for the practitioner Bulletin and goes toward the costs involved in maintaining the Foundation’s international register of practitioners.
In January 1999 the Foundation set the charge at £24.68 for one year, or £70.50 for three years. This charge has remained the same for six years, but rising costs mean we have had to review it. From 1st April 2006, therefore, these charges will go up to £27 and £76 respectively.
These charges apply to all practitioners who re-register directly with the Foundation. Practitioners who re-register via national co-ordinators in their own countries come under separate arrangements.
Transformational learning å
By Lynn Macwhinnie BFRP, England
Dr Bach wrote in Heal Thyself, “let it be briefly stated that disease, though apparently so cruel, is in itself beneficent and for our good and, if rightly interpreted, it will guide us to our essential faults”.
The whole idea of illness being for our own good, that adversity can illuminate a path to insight does, for some clients, seem an emotional or intellectual bridge too far. Any suggestion that self-reflection might open a door to transformational learning and could be useful in the healing process may be dismissed out of hand. Clients might well perceive the practitioner as being judgemental and unsympathetic, and full of nonsensical ideas to which they give little credence. What could though be part of their perceived reality is that the practitioner has not met the client where he or she is in terms of their current emotional state, values and beliefs but instead tried to introduce concepts that the client is not in a place to hear. The practitioner is then working at her pace, to her agenda, and not to that of the client.
When a client decides to have a consultation with a BFRP it is a courageous step. It is a step toward change and the unknown that change may bring. How we metaphorically ‘hold’ the client is as important to their experience of healing as is their education in the BFR. We are there to educate, facilitate and support a fellow traveller on the path. Dr Bach wrote we are “to assist the patient to a knowledge of himself and to point out to him the fundamental mistakes he may be making….” To do that effectively we need to have established rapport with the client, and gained insight to their world-view.
If for example you have felt frustrated or annoyed or disappointed by a client’s apparent lack of progress, then look at your own motivations, expectations and agenda when working as a practitioner. Or if you have felt exhausted by the end of every session with a particular client, then it is not the client doing their work – it is you. And if that is the case, how is the client actively participating in their healing and growth?
When a client begins to feel restored through the usage of the remedies (and perhaps has kept a journal of their progress), they often then feel more open to explore the idea of illness or adversity being opportunities to address “essential faults”. Feeling happier and healthier, they now have a sturdier foundation to build on in their journey of discovery, rather than from that initial low ebb of vulnerability, anxiety, fear or desolation. With their journal, they can record their healing process, and on review identify their learning out of their experience. The value of this is that you have assisted them in owning their own journey and enabled them to potentially transform their “essential faults”.
Our own mindfulness of what we bring to the process is so important, and is necessary self-reflection before meeting a client. If we lack clarity, we will compromise the nature of the consultation and potential for learning. Dr Bach’s words about essential faults are as much for us as practitioners to own and transform within ourselves, as they are for our clients to discover within themselves.
Lynn Macwhinnie is an international Bach trainer and teaches the Level 3 and Bach Foundation Teachers Programmes at the Bach Centre. She is currently setting up an online BFRP supervision programme; as well as a Bach Trainer & Teacher forum. To find out about either please email her at lynn.macwhinnie at btinternet.com.
Regulating natural therapies 1: Chile å
By Paulina Sepúlveda, BIEP co-ordinator, Chile
The recent publication of a law to regulate the practice of complementary therapists in Chile means that the health authorities here have selected five complementary therapies – Naturopathy, Acupuncture, Homeopathy, Chiropractic and Flower Therapy – to include within the public health services (municipal hospitals, clinics, etc.). This has made it necessary to study these complementary therapeutic practices, and different commissions have been formed to study their regulation in a professional way.
One of the main aims of the commission is to define study criteria for people who want to qualify to work as professionals in the area of floral therapy. I am participating actively in the commission on the professional practice of flower therapy, taking my position based on Dr Bach’s work and philosophy.
In my company Span Flowers Ltda. we have had a very positive experience over the last five years that we have organised the BIEP courses. This year we have had to put on more courses, in addition to those already planned for 2005, which has allowed us to widen the BIEP and maintain the prestige it holds world-wide, including in Chile, where we are recognised and respected.
The regulation of floral therapists by the Chilean health authorities is a great benefit to the diffusion of Dr Bach’s work. Our main responsibility in the commission is to guard Dr Bach’s basic principles and philosophy. This work has been successful, and the commission has taken on board many of the concepts and objectives that underpin the training of BFRPs. As a result a new study plan has been elaborated for floral therapists, which will be examined and recognised by the Chilean Ministry of Health. Existing BFRPs will be recognised by the ministry automatically, since they already have the recognition of the Edward Bach Foundation.
In 2006 Span Flores Ltda. will continue to offer its BIEP courses, as well as training professional practitioners recognised by the national health system according to the approved new plan of study.
I wanted to share with you this good news, as I am convinced that these changes benefit our training work and make it possible for us as Bach professionals to protect the people who look for aid and relief in their lives.
Regulating natural therapies 2: Spain å
By Alexandra Landgraf Blanch BFRP, Spain
For the first time in Spain, the Government of the Province of Catalonia is to regulate the practice of natural therapies.
There are approximately 6,000 therapists of various kinds in Catalonia (and over 100,000 in the whole of Spain). At least 30% of the Catalonian population uses these therapies at some time or other, but no law covers the work of therapists. Henceforward people who want to work with these therapies will have to comply with the Health Council’s regulation process, which will guide and regulate their activities.
According to the Health Council the one thing these natural therapies have in common is their intention to increase people’s capacity to regenerate and self-cure. All are founded on the principle that health may be restored and illnesses avoided by harmonising the body and mind, and that this can be done using natural or manual resources. The regulation process will acknowledge the therapeutic validity of professionals if they can show evidence of sufficient training and experience, or if they can demonstrate their capacity before the Commission of the Health Studies Institute. This institution in collaboration with the Medical, Nursing and Physiotherapists Professional Associations will accredit centres where the therapy will be provided.
International Context
No unifying international norm exists in complementary health. In a report dated June 2004, the World Health Organisation (WHO) supported the use of traditional and alternative therapies, so long as they represent a benefit to the patient and carry the minimum possible health risk. Empirical evidence may be required regarding the use of specific techniques or products. To avoid an increase in side-effects the WHO recommends their regulation and control.
In the U.K., following a joint effort by the Medical Professional Associations, alternative therapies have been approved for use in the National Health Service. Germany has regulated the practice of therapies such as homeopathy, acupuncture, naturopathy, hydrotherapy and physical manipulation (chiropractic) under the title of Heilpraktiker. And Portugal has approved Law 45/2003, dated August 22, to create a Technical Consulting Commission that will work for the regulation of natural therapies and propose changes in the law.
Back in Spain, the Health Department of Catalonia, through the Institute of Higher Education, will publish training guides for each of the natural therapies. These guides will form the only training program acknowledged by the Department for the training and exercise of Natural Therapies. Among others, Traditional Chinese Medicine, acupuncture, osteopathy, naturopathy, and floral therapy have been included in the training programme.
In order to prepare for possible Spanish regulation, the María Cristina Royal University Centre in Madrid has launched a private qualification called the Degree in Natural Therapies. This degree includes a floral therapy module. Their aim is that once they have completed their training students will be able to work in the paramedic and in the integrated health sectors, or in the patient assistance area, as part of multidisciplinary teams. For more information you contact programaphillippus at holograma.com or www.cofenat.com.
Letters å
We want you to use this bulletin to keep in touch with each other. If anything wonderful, funny, interesting or plain typical has happened to you in your work with the remedies, or if there are questions that have been nagging away at you, or you simply want to say hello, please write and tell us.
Send your contribution to the Foundation, marking your letter clearly as being ‘FOR PUBLICATION’.
We can’t promise to print every letter in the bulletin, but even if we don’t use your contribution we always love to hear from you.
I recently gave a short lecture about the remedies to the students of a pharmaceutical school here in the Czech Republic. A pharmaceutical school is something in between a secondary school and a university. They were very happy with it. But what surprised and pleased me much more is that they want to have a longer lecture at their school and they have also taken the first steps towards putting this method into the curriculum during the 3rd year of the school. And they have asked me if I am interested in teaching them!
This is great news. I wanted to share it and also to let you know about how things are moving here.
– Lenka Samková BFRP, Czech Republic
I am contacting your organisation as I am about to open a number of therapy rooms in Tendring, North East Essex. Tendring is close to Clacton-on-Sea, Harwich, Brightlingsea and Colchester. There is a mainline train route with good bus links.
We are interested in providing access to a selection of alternative health practitioners and would anticipate operating until 9.00 p.m. seven days a week, as most clients work and prefer weekend or evening appointments.
We are based on an industrial estate and have good parking and facilities for our clients and practitioners. Our services include reception and booking, computer/fax link and a business address.
If you were able to pass my email details on I would be very grateful. We have limited space available and are taking bookings now, while the conversion of the property goes ahead.
– Sandra Adams
You can contact Sandra by emailing highgatelodge at btopenworld.com. – Ed.
Bits and pieces å
- Bach Foundation-approved Level 3 Animal Practitioner courses run every year at the Natural Animal Centre in Wales. The course is in three parts: Stage 1, a two day introduction; Stage 2, a 3-day course; and Stage 3, a 4-day course followed by a period of home study and supervised case studies. For more information contact the Natural Animal Centre, Penhill, Trawmawr, Carmarthen, SA33 6ND, Wales: Email natural at globalnet.co.uk or phone 0870 991 3334.
- Animal Practitioners CPD Conference will take place over the weekend of the 25th and 26th March 2006. For more information contact the Natural Animal Centre as above.
- The Bach Foundation Teachers Programme is aimed at UK-based BFRPs who want to improve their teaching skills and eventually run Bach Foundation-approved level 1 courses. The programme includes a two-day course at the Bach Centre followed by a period of supervised teaching, and access to support and training materials. The next course takes place on the 3rd & 4th May 2006 – so coming to the course would be a great chance to see the garden at its best! Contact us for more details.
- Aquí se habla español – The Spanish version of the Bach Centre’s web site is at www.floresbach.com, or click the link on the Bach Centre’s main home page www.bachcentre.com. Spanish translations of the Bulletin are at www.floresbach.com/found/bulletin.htm.
- The next meeting of Tessa Jordan’s Bach Support Group will be on Tuesday 6th December from 7.30 p.m. to 9.30 p.m. in Crabbe Street, Ipswich. So near Christmas, there is some talk of mince pies! For more details phone Tessa on 01473 728498.
- The UK’s Bach Practitioner Network North West has meetings scheduled at Barton Grange Hotel, Preston, on 8th April and 4th November 2006. For more information telephone 01253 885512.
- A reminder that the Bach Centre web site includes back issues of the Bulletin and guidelines on subjects like giving a talk on the remedies and working with animals. The addresses to go to are:
www.bachcentre.com/found/bulletin/ and
www.bachcentre.com/found/guide/ - You may already have noticed that A Nelson and Co have changed their trading name from Nelsonbach back to Nelsons. ‘Our closest partners and even many employees continued to shorten the name to Nelsons,’ says company spokesperson Karen Chapman. ‘We have concluded that it’s more friendly, sounds better, and is clearly easier to say!’
Welcome to… å
Since the last issue of the bulletin was prepared, 109 new practitioners have joined the register:
- in Australia, Simona Willis and Margaret Crooks;
- in Austria, Ursula Zahlut, Romana Benesch-Klemenjak and Gabriela Krb;
- in Belgium, Emma Pawsey, Lieve Vander Stappen, Véronique Heynen-Rademakers and Nadia Cardinal-Ewalenko;
- in Brazil, Camila De Oliveira Savoi, Monica Bordin Pessuto and Maria De Fatima Da Silva;
- in Canada, Mary Jane Gottschlag, Anne B Devine, Betty Edward, Sue Young, Theresa Panayotou, Diane Paine and Rose Mary Terhaar;
- in Costa Rica, Christiana Johanna Maria Holthuis and Holly Meyia Villalobos;
- in Denmark, Rene Poulsen, Zanne Buchardt, Marianne Pedersen and Ritta Kloppenborg;
- in England, Elzbieta Doyle, Sandy Griffith, Sue Jackson, Keiran Broadhurst, Gillian Pitts, Carole Gwyneth Jones, Julie Connery, Stephanie Wood, Sarah Green, Lynden Bowen, Georgina Bacon, Fiona Whiston, Debbie Heaver, Lucinda Pimlott, Gordon Pengilley, Joy Chambers, Madeleine Burton, Cilla Moffat, Mohammed Ayoub, Margrit Maria Leggoe, Claire Miller, Justine Sebon and Rosemarie Muirhead;
- in France, Nathalie Macheda, Martino Regina, Francoise Cévaër, Britt Baudouin, Danielle Lorendeau, Catherine Salles, Yonik Delval, Sylvie Faliu, Tania Lucienne Caggini-Fournau, Marion Agnier-Lanthony, Monique Linon, Veronique Arnal, Christiane Illy, Francoise Dorlac, Odile Cotton, Agnes Malinvaud, Cécile Marti and Denise Helderlé;
- in Germany, Anita Söhn, Kathrin Schimma, Gertrud Pickenhahn and Heike Korrel;
- in Ireland, Michelle Brennan;
- in Italy, Irene Stella, Alessandra Benedetta Caporale and Agnese Cattoretti;
- in Japan, Motoko Koshio, Yuca Sato, Keiko Yoshikawa, Tomoko Nogami, Mizue Shima, Yuka Sonobe, Youko Takano and Atsumi Kitamura;
- in the Netherlands, Annemiek Bongers, Dianne Luidinga-van Aalst, Hanneke Sloof, Annelot Deen, Saskia Niessink, Astrid Marquenie, Janneke Maat and Nicole Rosenkrantz;
- in New Zealand, Kerry Margaret Watson;
- in Norway, Inger-Lill Moneel, Magni Kristiansen and Elisabeth Bokheim;
- in Scotland, Linsey Denham and Sarah Smart;
- in South Africa, Karin Diepgrond;
- in Spain, Gillian Pollock and Sophie Rosello;
- in Switzerland, Isabella Knup-Angehrn and Maria Figurelli;
- in the U.S.A., Dorothea Holden, Kathryn O’Keefe, Ginnette G Groome, Luann Hickey, Virginia Campbell, Helen C Hess and Nancy Wood McElmeel;
- in Venezuela, Carmen Lola Morean De Arocha.
There are now 1,672 practitioners on the register.